The brutal murder of five members of one family in 19th century Ireland, and the trial which followed it, are the subject of Professor Margaret Kelleher’s book – discussed in our latest City of Books podcast.

The episode was recorded before the Covid 19 restrictions in the historic Green Street courthouse in Dublin, scene of the trial. Professor Kelleher of UCD is joined by President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly.

All proceedings during the 1882 trial were conducted in English but some of the accused, from Connemara, spoke only Irish and didn’t understand what was happening.

Prof Kelleher’s book is The Maamtrasna Murders: Language, Life and Death in Nineteenth-Century Ireland, published by UCD Press.

City of Books is hosted by author and journalist Martina Devlin for Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council, in association with MOLI the Museum of Literature Ireland.